Anyone on the board hunt grouse? Sledman, I’m looking in your direction.
I’m going grouse hunting for the first time on Saturday and I need some good advice so that I don’t look like a fool in front of my friends. I’ve hunted pheasant and woodcock before, so I’m not completely ignorant on upland birds. The best part is that I get to go buy a new shotgun tonight. 20 gauge side-by-side is the plan, but I may go with a semi-auto. What’s your opinion, grouse-hunters? Also, size 6,7 1/2, or 8 for shot?
When you hear that "BBBBRRRRTTTTT sound, shoot in that diection.
I’ve just been using my 12 Ga Mossberg pump with upland game bird shells. Not sure what size shot that is. Wear heavy pants, 'cause you need to walk through bushes. Are you using a dog?
make sure you eject all the shells when you are done. I accidently shot my grandma’s prize winning rooster to smithereens, she still hates me to this day and she has been dead for 8 years now.
Always size 6 shot for grouse, because it’ll go through brush better than 7 1/2 or 8. I currently use a 20 gauge semi-auto Winchester, but would much prefer a pump. Maybe next year…
Grouse are creatures of the edge. Edge of anything. Especially the edge of a road through an area of pine trees, generally on the sunny side, during moderate weather. If it’s particularly warm or cold, then expect them to be in heavier cover.
Last but not least, don’t let them scare you when they flush. Good luck.
Unfortunately, not much I can add that hasn’t been said, except that grouse love gravel roads in the morning and evening. They need the gravel for their gizzards. That is the best time to get them (IHMO).
Also, if you spook them, do not under any circumstances take your eyes off of them, they are very easy to lose when flying into the trees.
And one more thing. Grouse tend to fly in a J pattern when spooked. They will go straight away from you, and then break left or right and head for a branch to hunker down on. Watch for this.
P.S. All of this advise concerns Ruffed Grouse, FTR.
Well, I’m ready. Bought a Winchester 1200 20 ga. pump improved cylinder, got my brush pants, blaze orange hat, 24 #6 shot shells, and an overpowering bloodlust :D. Beware grouse of Rhinelander, ChiefWahoo is coming!
Thanks everyone for your advice, hopefully next week I’ll be asking for grouse recipes!
Ahh , the elusive pah’tridge(MacQuarrie readers know what I mean). Sounds like you are pretty well set and have been given some good advice in the above responses. #6’s will work fine. I might have leaned towards 7 1/2’s or 8’s but it does depend on the cover you will be hunting. The 20 gauge should work fine as it should be highly maneuverable. Modified or Improved Cylinder would be the suggested chokes. Full isn’t going to do you any good in the grouse woods unless you are an absolute “crack” shot.
Big Tip…when you are least expecting it and have convinced yourself there isn’t a Grouse within 40 miles one will flush right next to you and scare the beejesus out of you.
Rhinelander, huh… Report back on how you do. Park Falls area is considered destination Grouse Hunting in the state. I haven’t traversed the Grouse woods this year so I can’t give you any numbers. Maybe I will do that when I go put up my stand Saturday. A friend who is living in temporary exile in Minnesota reported low numbers earlier this year. Cyclical population of the birds and all.
Rhinelander…when are you heading up? I think Gazoo and I will be at Partner’s tonight for awhile. Maybe stop in for a brewski on your way up, der, hey!
Sorry I didn’t hit you on this yesterday but they changed our ‘Real World’ IP address at work and things were a little honked up yesterday. Don’t ask me what MTV had to do with it…
Sleddie,
Early reports suggest a high grouse population in the area of my friend’s land. (that is, they saw a bunch of 'em while baiting deer stands)
Unfortunately I won’t be able to stop in Pointski tonight, but what about Sunday? Where you watching the game?
And Fnord, thanks for reminding me about the Hodag,* maybe I should keep a couple three slugs in my pocket, no?**
The italicised portion of this post brought to you in genuine Pointish.
Right on. Your only goal when this happens should be not to shoot or soil yourself. Guess that’s two goals.
I’m living in permanent exile in northern Minnesota (Duluth), and have experienced very good grouse numbers. According to what I have heard, last year was supposed to be the top of the cycle but numbers this year are pretty much the same because of the very mild winter. I have seen a lot of birds despite the fact that I’m not a serious hunter and have not had the benefit of a dog.
Not sure about Sunday as yet. I have a lot to get ready this weekend for next weekend. Most likely I will be home watching the game on the Direct Ticket but this is it, I need to have everything in place by Sunday. If worse comes to worse the Pack gets bumped.
I’ll have off the full 9 day season.
[pointish]
*You headin’ up nort for da hunt, or no? Hoping to get a couple, two, tree of dem’ der deers, ya know, hey! *[/pointish]
Blaze orange Bandanna (put on after first kill… my ceremonial type thing)
Remington 870 Express 12 ga. Pump action
Super-speed 6 shot (50 shells)
Shooting Vest
Orange hat
Oh yea… I forgot to mention, I take Commando to a new height, the brambles and the Sticks are a little uncomfortable at first, but you get used to it ahahhahahaa
but really, I have some Wrangler & Cordura Brush pants with 100 Grams of Thinsulate built into them… my fav. pair of pants…
Grouse hunting with a shotgun? How much of that bird is left? Can you still eat it?
I live in some serious bush country (see thread here) , where we have ruffed grouse, spruce grouse, and ptarmigan(higher altitudes). I’ve gone grouse hunting with a stick or a slingshot. Most common up here, though, is a .22 rifle.
Of course, we may just have dumber birds. The ones up here, when flushed, whirr up then land about fifteen feet away - so if you miss you can try again. In fact, if you’re far enough away with a .22, you can pick off several out of the flock before they get scared enough to fly away.
Shotgun? Isn’t that for deer, bears, and people?
<minor interruption for explanation from co-worker>
Oooohhhhhhh. Well, OK. Sounds rational, but I still think it’s kinda overkill.
Anyways, I’ll keep an eye out for your Success! thread - I have some decent recipes.
